I didn’t realize people who believe the KJV is the only inspired Word of God still existed! I should have known better. I saw this banner today at lunch. I remember visiting a KJV only church years ago when I was in college – they had a tract as you walked in that had a picture of a guy holding an NIV Bible… falling into the pit of hell.
It’s a strange world of worship these days when you market your church as traditional. It is a market niche, and I’ll bet they get a lot of (cranky) people.
5 Responses to “Church Marketing: KJV Only!”
March 13, 2012
TonyLet me apologize up front as some will find my opinions & comments inflammatory.
Yes you will find people/pastors/churches that believe the KJV is the only accurate* translation* & they won’t use anything else. My (doctorate) pastor says “that* is true… …if you’re in 17th century England!” He’s turned down invites because even the NKJV wasn’t “good enough!” BTW: He uses many translations including both the N/KJV.
In my limited experience, Pastors/churches/people following this [Religious] dogma, I find their doctrine laced w/legalism. I saw that in rural, small town Georgia and, more recently, I’ve seen it around Athens, Ga.
I can’t fault some as that’s what they learned growing up. Tradition isn’t a bad thing but solely for tradition’s sake?! Hey, I grew up Catholic! I remember mass in Latin! These days, I’m Pentecostal. I usually enter these discussions w/”I’m not smart enough to understand the KJV.” I’ve even heard such sanctimoniuos nonsense “God hasn’t reveled it to you yet.” LOL! I can’t be the priest of my home Christ expects if I don’t understand what I’m teaching/preaching.
My oldest son w/ his reading disability wouldn’t stand a chance trying to”…hide God’s (KJV) word in [his] heart” if I went along that belief.
We have several translations @ home including a KJV but its the last place I send my kids. I have 4-5 translations in my phone that flip through regularly.
I find the KJV between difficult &, occasionally, impossible to understand. That said I believe those stuck on that [KJV dogma] like the Catholics of old, are trying to control people.
March 13, 2012
JoanI understand what you are saying, however, the overall spirit of the article is just as derogative for the KJV proponents as theirs may be toward those who prefer other translations. Your words may even help to further divide the two poles.
The more someone is put down, the more they hang on to their point of view.
I was raised with the KJV and the verses I have committed to memory are KJV which does have a beautiful sense of poetry and language. No other translations compares to the KJV version of Psalm 23. Of course, that is only my opinion. When there is a passage I do not understand and go to other translations for clarity, I do not always get it there either. However, I personally do not care what version anyone uses. They all have errors because they are translated by man and subject to personal beliefs and cultural definitions, no matter how hard translators try to keep such ideas out.
I used to get angry when I heard KJV proponents degrading the non-KJV readers, as I did when people degraded those who prefered contemporary music. Yes, there are those who use the KJV preference in a legalistic way, but that thought is slowly dying. I grew up hearing those criticisms, but the people who said them were sincere when they thought that the KJV was the best translation. Were they ignorant? Perhaps some were, but many were not.
There is enough room in the Church for people who prefer KJV or other translations; enough room for different musical preferences whether hymns, traditional, or contemporay music. We worship the same God, are enjoying the same grace and forgiveness, and eventually will share Heaven together. Let us share a bit of heaven here on earth, even if no one else does. Let us just respect and accept each other for our differences for how we respect people who disagree with us tells the world a great deal about ourselves. May God’s love and grace shine through us all, in spite of, and because of, our differences. May God bless you.
March 14, 2012
NickTheres a sign like the one in the picture on my way to church in greenville sc.
March 14, 2012
Don ChapmanIt’s probably the same one – near Cherrydale
March 14, 2012
ColinI disagree with the idea that the article was derogatory, but rather very respectful of on the most stupidest ways the devil has devised in his twisted mind to separate and distract the Church from doing it’s job! Yes, there is room for everyone in the church but tell me who OUTSIDE the church gives a rip about KJV (actually sounds like a disease) NIV, or the Ebonics Bible?
I talked to a waiter awhile back and he shared that he recently came to the Lord and he was very excited and so was I to hear his testimony…and then he proceeded to tell me about what he has “learned” since he found Christ. Well, the KJV only thing came up along with the usual suspects of Legalism. What a downer, what a beautiful distraction inspired by satan himself…Legalism. Believe this, religion/legalism is going to send more people to Hell than all the drugs and debauchery in the world combined! And by debauchery I mean, facial hair, well according to the waiter.
Great post! It reminds me once again to focus on the reason why I am a pastor/worship leader.
BTW, if you are a KJV only dude, please try reading the NKJV then you’ll understand what the Bible actually says! You’ll understand that it is really out of balance that you as a man get to dress nice and fashionable but your wife looks like “Little House on the Prairie” So, for your wife’s sake, stop it! JS